Venice Beach boardwalk

Hopeful vendors wait during the lottery at the Venice Beach Recreation Center. For certain performers in “p-zones,” permits are currently needed only May through November, but that could soon change.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Parks employee Maniscalo lines up ID cards for vendors vying for a spot on the boardwalk.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Street sand sculptor Bill, who declined to give his last name, is one of the many artists on the boardwalk. Many say the root of the problems here is the proliferation of illegal commercial vending on the ocean side, which is drawing business from legal merchants on the east side.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Street musician Derrick Gomez, known to friends and locals as ‘Chunks” plays guitar and sings on the boardwalk in Venice Beach Tuesday morning.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Street musician Dave Hughes plays his piano on the boardwalk.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A microphone awaits a singer-guitarist who has staked out a spot in the “p-zone,” which does not require a permit during this time of the year.  (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)